One of the longest running events in the Moyne Shire has had to succumb to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Commonwealth Championship Sheepdog Trials has been cancelled for 2021.
The trials were to be held at the start of February at the Gardens Oval in Port Fairy.
As part of the trials each year, the Australian Dog of the Year competition is held.
This features the champion sheepdog from every Australian state going head-to-head in Port Fairy.
The continued uncertainty around state border closures is impacting the ability of interstate competitors to plan a trip to Victoria in the new year.
Trial president Bill Paton said he was devastated to have to cancel the event.
"I don't like doing it (calling it off), I hate it," Mr Paton said.
"I didn't think I would ever have to do it, I thought old age would be the only thing that would stop me being part of the trial each year.
"But we don't have any choice really, we need everyone to be kept safe."
Mr Paton said while the movement of competitors from interstate had been a big factor in the decision to cancel, there were other reasons also at play.
"We get a lot of people come along to the trials and it would be very hard to monitor how many people came in," Mr Paton said.
"Also our catering is a big part of the week and that would be affected.
"We didn't want to wait until a month or so before, it takes a hell of a lot of organising, we have people from all over Australia."